A strip mall City Hall? No!

Thursday

Dec 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM

We understand that Stockton filed for bankruptcy this year. We understand that it's imperative that city officials look at each and every expenditure. We understand that some things we've taken for granted in Stockton may have to go by the wayside.

We understand that Stockton filed for bankruptcy this year. We understand that it's imperative that city officials look at each and every expenditure. We understand that some things we've taken for granted in Stockton may have to go by the wayside.

Just the same, we'd really prefer that City Hall doesn't end up being in a strip mall somewhere. And we'd like to think citizens in a city of roughly 300,000 would overwhelmingly think that way too.

Stockton had to say bye-bye to its long-term hopes of moving into the city-purchased Washington Mutual bank building downtown. It transformed from "city-purchased" to "foreclosed-upon" in the past year.

Many city services - including council meetings - remain in the 1926 Grecian-Ionic City Hall building.

Yes, it has a crumbling exterior. Yes, it is drafty and has poor accessibility and even rodents.

So maybe it has outlived its usefulness.

Still, we cringe at the thought of City Hall being rental space in some obscure building. But the city has "feelers" out as it looks for a facility that:

» Has approximately 27,000 square feet;

» Would be available to lease for about 5 to 10 years;

» Is preferably located downtown.

There are available buildings downtown. Cort Companies is probably the leader to step up and fill the city's needs.

That doesn't really answer the question of what would happen after the five to 10 years of leasing have concluded. Perhaps then the city would be finished with its financial woes and could contemplate a new city hall.

Stockton deserves - and needs - a good City Hall. It's a sign of civic pride, structure and stability.

Alas, we may be lacking in some of those areas now. But there is a future to consider and behold.

Make this decision a good bridge to that future.

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